~ We can not always be in love, but we can always strive to understand each other~

"I have missed my dates for more than a week", Nandini whispered, gulping the clog in her throat and raised her eyes slowly to find Anushree staring at her in complete shock while Mrs. Chatterjee was slightly smiling, her face a fond glee.

Nandini wanted to smile too, she very well knew what this could mean, but she wasn't sure she wanted this, specially right now.

"Manik knows?", Mrs. Chatterjee asked Nandini as she softly kept her hand on Nandini's head, who shook her head, close to crying.

"I don't know how to tell him", Nandini looked up in despair, her heart hammering just at the thought of Manik knowing about her suspected pregnancy.

Pregnancy!

The word brought so many memories, so many dreams back to her mind. Her own fantasies of being a mother, of Manik being the adorable father, of her child's smile, of her future baby bump. Nandini unconsciously coddled her own abdomen as her mind raced through the thoughts, the happy ones.

"But isn't it too soon?", Anushree's voice broke her day dreaming session and she let out a sigh, before nodding and looking up.

"Yes, that's why I am worried", she confessed, shaking her head lightly as she turned to face Mrs. Chatterjee.

"It has been just seven months Maa, I agree me and Manik have fallen into an understanding, we have been in love and we are happy together. But right now, are we ready for another life to be a part of ours? My PHD is yet to be done, I have other career goals, a few travel ones. More so, I am just 26. Will I be a good mother? Do I even have that maturity yet?", Nandini blabbered, letting the tears flow down her eyes.

Mrs. Chatterjee shifted closer and hugged Nandini, who in turn hugged her back, seeking comfort in her motherly warmth. No matter what she said, there were moments when Nandini missed her mother a bit too much, crying over the fact that maybe she could have guided her through roads she could not see clear and having a mother figure at her vicinity right now was a huge comfort.

"Nandini, you are over thinking everything, you know? We aren't even sure if you are pregnant. And most important of all, you need to discuss this with Manik. Family planning is important and both of your views are important for the same. We will take one step at a time okay? Take a pregnancy test and talk to Manik first, okay? Who knows he shares your views? And even if he doesn't, you both will reach a middle ground about it, I am sure. Talk to him but, its necessary to discuss with him", Mrs. Chatterjee patted her head and rubbed her back to calm her down, and eventually Nandini realized she was right.

Even if a baby was on its way, it was their baby. They both needed to decide about the pregnancy. And even if not, this was something they should discuss either way.

"You are right Maa, I will talk to him ASAP", Nandini sniffed, nodding her head and both Mrs. Chatterjee and Anushree smiled, after which Mrs. Chatterjee got up to bring over some snacks from the kitchen, and Anushree shifted closer to Nandini.

"Nandini, all I want you to know is its okay to be scared at the prospect of a new life adding to be Yours, and it's okay to not be ready. Pregnancy should not be a compulsion, it should be something you feel like embracing from your heart. Eventually it's your body, your emotions that's gonna suffer the most, so taking a little time to prepare yourself isn't wrong", Anu stated, explaining her what Nandini was already thinking about.

The way elders see a situation and the way somebody from your own age sees is usually very different, and both the perspectives can be equally right, it depends upon the situation.

Eventually Nandini stood up to leave and bent down to touch Mrs. Chatterjee's feet who in turn kissed her head and blessed her. Walking upto the elevator, Nandini fished out her phone from her hand bag to see twenty three messages from Manik.

Three of them were associated pictures of the clean bedroom, drawing room and the kitchen.

Another one of the delivered groceries.

And one was him cooking dinner for her, garlic toasts and cheese burgers.

Nandini laughed at the pictures, and scrolled down to read his messages.

"Nandini?"

"Nanduuuu?"

"Dear Wifey......!!!!!!"

"Cleaned everything, at least come back now"

"Read my messages at least"

"Mrs. Nandini Manik Murthy Malhotra? Wow, that was huge!!! Have some pity on your poor husband"

"Nandiniiiiiiii. Suno naaaaaa"

Laughing to herself, Nandini decided to be more evil. She left all the messages on read, without replying to a single one, and then instead of taking a cab back home, she took a cab to her Appa's place.

Reaching her father's home, she entered inside with her set of keys, and walked straight to her Appa's room, only to find him lying down on the bed, staring at oblivion.

"Appa?", she climbed the bed and settled beside him as Neelesh Murthy's face broke into a wide grin.

"Nanduuu! How are you? When did you come? It has been so long I have seen you!", he exclaimed, and sat up, hugging her tight before kissing her forehead.

"Technically it's just two weeks, we met on my birthday, Appa, but yes this is the reason I am trying to convince you to move in with us and you aren't listening", Nandini complained as she sat with her arm looped around her father's elbow, looking at him intently.

Maybe that's why she didn't miss the frown lines that crossed her father's aged but handsome face.

"Nandu, I don't want to, as simple as that", Neelesh rubbed her arm in a consoling manner, but it didn't pacify Nandini at all.

"Appa but why? I don't like this at all. Even Manik wants you to shift with us. And if this is about your attachment to this house, we are ready to shift here. I really want all of us to be together", Nandini requested again, but it seemed like it all fell on deaf ears as Neelsh Murthy didn't budge at all.

Their conversation was disturbed by a knock on the door and the house help, a fifty something lady whom both Neelesh and her mother used to call Asha Tai, walked in with his dinner.

"Are Nandini Bitiya, when did you come?", she fondly smiled at the girl she had practically raised, and even Nandini grinned before she jumped to hug her.

"I came an hour back. Tai convince Appa na, he isn't ready to move in with me", Nandini pouted and Tai softly cupped her cheeks as a knowing look crossed between her and Neelesh Murthy.

"I made your favourite cake for you, Saab told me you missed it on your birthday, won't you taste?", Tai smiled, trying to dodge the topic and it worked as Nandini practically ran to the kitchen, jumping happily.

Tai served the dinner on the bed table and helped him with a spoon, when he looked up at her.

" I gave you the medications before. Eat the dinner", she stated as she poured water in the glass.

"I still think you should tell Nandini, there is no point hiding anything", Tai sighed and mentioned, only to receive a strong denial from Neelesh.

Unknown to them, someone standing just by the door had heard their conversation, but before he could react, a nagging voice reached all of them as Nandini screamed with her mouth full of cake.

"Manik Malhotra!!! What the hell are you doing here?", Nandini demanded, standing with her one hand digging the spoon into the cake she was holding in her other hand.

Manik turned from the door with a sheepish smile and faced her, but even with all her fake anger and cake puffed cheeks, he caught the sky smile threatening to grace her lips.

Walking towards her, he leaned down to kiss her cheek and in a jerk, the spoon full of cake was in his mouth.

"I was missing you", he whispered in her ear, knowing well she must have grown red now, because his bold wife often tend to turn shy in presence of her Appa and Tai.

Nandini elbowed him and ran across the room to her Appa who was laughing sitting on the bed, alongside Tai who was smiling in admiration.

There is nothing more a parent wants than watching their child happy and content, and seeing Nandini practically glowing in Manik's company was more than the reward Neelesh Murthy was seeking.

An hour of teases, reckless laughter, failed convincing, lots of hugs, emotional blackmailing and a tasty dinner later, Manik and Nandini were driving back home,in their car. Nandini was listening to the FM, fiddling with the radio stations while Manik was lost in his thoughts until her voice broke the silence.

"Manik?"

"Hmm?"

"What do you think about having kids?"

Note: Super sorry for the delay. I have been out of station for the last weekend as I informed on the message board. I had been to Goa, with friends, and I came back on Wednesday but couldn't find time to write.

I won't mess up the schedule again 🙈🙈

Also, I would really love it if you guys spare a second to check my Instagram page @writingzephyr_. It would mean so much to me.

Thank you.